Can I walk on a broken foot?

Unlike a broken ankle which can cause immobility, a broken bone in your forefoot (metatarsals) or in your toes (phalanges) is painful, but not necessarily disabling. Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone surface. These occur most often in athletes as a result of increased training, change in terrain, and improper techniques. Other types of fractures break through the bone completely. These can be stable, meaning the bones are still aligned, or displaced, which means the ends of the bones do not line up. This type of break usually is caused by sudden trauma, like something heavy falling on your foot. Typically you can walk on a broken foot, however, doing so will aggravate the situation. It’s best to give your foot a rest, and keep weight off it, so that bones can take the time they need to heal. It is always best to get an injury like a fracture checked out to ensure proper treatment.

If you have hurt your foot, visit Carolina Podiatry, Inc. Make an appointment with Brandon Percival, DPM, Julie Percival, DPM, or William Harris IV, DPM by calling (803) 285-1411 in Lancaster, or (803) 548-FEET in Fort Mill, SC.